SD1 │ Sanitation District No. 1

What *Some* People Think We Do vs. What We Actually Do When it comes to sewers, there’s often some confusion about what SD1 does: ?Water Services: Some folks think we provide drinking water??. ?Sanitation Services: Others believe we handle trash pickup and recycling ???. While those tasks are managed by other important organizations (shoutout to their amazing work ??), what we actually do is a unique crossover of both water and sanitation. Every day, we: ?Treat 35 million gallons of wastewater to keep our waterways clean and healthy ????. ? Manage stormwater to prevent flooding and improve water quality ??. It might not be glamorous, but it’s vital work that keeps Northern Kentucky safe and flowing smoothly. And while some might wish we could do things like rescue jewelry from the sink ??, bring back a flushed goldfish ?? (RIP), or magically prevent clogs forever ??, we’re proud to handle the behind-the-scenes work that matters most. Together, we’re building a cleaner, healthier future for Northern Kentucky ??. #WhatWeDo #WastewaterAndStormwater #NorthernKentucky #EssentialWork #SD1

Building Transparency Around Sewer Rates At SD1, we understand that utility bills can sometimes lead to questions or concerns. Sewer rates fund essential work—like maintaining infrastructure, treating wastewater and protecting public health—yet they’re not always easy to understand. We’re committed to making our rate structure as clear and accessible as possible to address any potential confusion. To improve transparency, we’re enhancing our communication to provide straightforward insights into how every dollar supports the critical services our community relies on. For example, our website now includes resources like Why Might Your Sanitation Bill Be Higher than Your Water Bill? to help address these common questions. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/exHwwC2X What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about utility services? Are there specific topics you'd like to see more clarity on? #Transparency #CommunityTrust #UtilityServices

We're hiring! SD1 is a team of dedicated professionals who work hard to protect health, property and the environment while supporting the economic vitality of our community. Learn more about our open positions: https://lnkd.in/eyDUuBmq #Hiring #Careers #NKYJobs #CleanWater #WaterJobs #Wastewater #Stormwater #Utilities

Ever wondered what’s lurking in our treatment tanks? Beneath the surface of our wastewater process lies a fascinating—and slightly spooky—micro-world! From tardigrades (or “water bears”) to rotifers and nematodes, our lab team analyzes an entire ecosystem of microorganisms that provide essential insights into our plant’s health. Our lab staff routinely monitors mixed liquor samples, giving plant managers real-time data to ensure efficient and reliable treatment standards for the community. We asked Lab and Pretreatment Manager Sarah Griffith about spotting tardigrades, and here’s her insight: “Ideally, sludge shouldn’t be able to support higher life like water bears. Tardigrades will appear in sludges that are older or high in nutrients, or sometimes they just appear for no obvious reason. It’s not a good (or bad) sign to see them, but they always make us smile.” A huge shoutout to our incredible team working behind the scenes to keep our community’s water clean and safe! If you ever tour the Dry Creek lab, keep an eye out—you might just spot a “water bear” or two, whether in real life, on a sticker, or in 3D-printed form. ???? #WastewaterTreatment #LabTeam #WaterQuality #MicroWorld #EnvironmentalScience #WastewaterTreatment #LabTeam #WaterQuality

As fall settles in and schools are in session, our environmental experts are taking advantage of more opportunities to engage with learners of all ages—from kids and students to college classes and engaged local citizens. Education is a lifelong journey, and we’re proud to share our expertise through hands-on experiences such as field studies in local creeks, biology lessons and demonstrations. A special thank you to our partner organizations for making these moments possible. Together, we’re creating a lasting impact on our community and its future! Photo courtesy of Boone County Conservation District, Kentucky: SD1's Elizabeth Fet participating in an educational day of fishing with Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers at the Earl and Hazel Jones Center for Conservation.

Water is life. Here in Northern Kentucky, we rely on clean water every day for drinking, cooking and sanitation. But have you ever imagined a day without it? The #ImagineADayWithoutWater campaign reminds us of the essential services that make this possible—and the need to invest in the infrastructure that sustains them. Recent hurricanes like Helene and Milton have left many communities across the country without reliable access to water. Though Northern Kentucky was spared, many of us know someone affected by these devastating events. It’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable our water systems can be. "Water systems often go unnoticed, but their importance cannot be overstated," said Adam Chaney, Executive Director of SD1. The resilience of our water systems is vital to protecting public health and the environment. Together, let’s support the infrastructure that keeps our water flowing. Learn more about https://lnkd.in/gDu_rAP #WaterResilience #MyDropInTheBucket #ImagineADayWithoutWater

This week's SD1 Live event was a wonderful reflection of the dedication and culture that make SD1 a great place to work. Executive Director Adam Chaney provided valuable insights on our progress toward our annual district goals, underscoring our commitment to growth and excellence. In addition to recognizing outstanding employees and celebrating years of service, we enjoyed some lighthearted activities reinforcing communication and problem-solving. One of the highlights was a spirited discussion around some divisive local topics. SD1 staff weighed in on questions like: Goldstar or Skyline? Bengals or Reds? Goetta or Sausage? And of course, is SD1's mascot Splash McClean a Fish or a Frog? We’d love to hear from our community—where do you stand on these iconic debates? ???? A big thank you to everyone who made it a memorable day! #SD1Proud #TeamBuilding

Our rivers are the lifeblood of Northern Kentucky, providing clean drinking water, supporting wildlife and offering recreational opportunities for our thriving region. That’s why SD1 is proud to join organizations across the nation for Source Water Protection Week (Sept. 29 - Oct. 5). Together, we can take action to protect these vital resources from contamination and ensure safe water sources for future generations. Read more about Source Water Protection Week: https://lnkd.in/eqzhSYX5. #ProtectOurRivers #CleanWaterMatters #SourceWaterProtectionWeek #EnvironmentalLeadership

9/27/24 - EVENT CANCELLED! Due to the upcoming weather predictions, ORSANCO has made the difficult decision to cancel both sessions of the Ohio River Celebration and Environmental Fair and the press event scheduled for this Friday. Though we are saddened by this announcement, the safety of students, teachers, and citizens comes first and it is likely that conditions could become dangerous for participants and staff. Original message: This Friday, join us at the first annual Ohio River Celebration & Environmental Fair! SD1 is excited to team up with ORSANCO and many other local organizations to celebrate our shared commitment to protecting the Ohio River. From 3-6pm at the Castellini Esplanade in Smale Riverfront Park, we’ll come together for an afternoon of fun, learning and community connection. With over 20 environmental booths (including ours!), you can explore hands-on demos, take home valuable resources and see ORSANCO’s 2,200-gallon Life Below the Waterline aquarium featuring Ohio River fish. There will even be Voyager Canoe rides along the river, courtesy of The Ohio River Way. Let’s celebrate the power of collaboration to keep our waterways clean and safe. We hope to see you there! #OhioRiverCelebration #CleanWaterCommunity #Cincy #Environment #KeepItClean #TeamworkForOurRiver

At SD1, we care about protecting #CleanWater for everyone in Northern Kentucky. While we manage wastewater for over 300,000 residents, we know some rely on private septic systems. That's why we're participating in #SepticSmartWeek, sharing tips and resources to support proper septic system care. Learn more at https://www.epa.gov/septic and join us in supporting clean waterways! #CleanWater #Wastewater #SepticSystems #SepticSmartWeek #EnvironmentalStewardship